Host plant preference for oviposition by the spiny bollworm Earias insulana Boisd. (Lep., Noctuidae)

Laboratory studies on the ovipositional preference of Earias insulana Boisd . females indicated that the insect preferred Gossypium hirsutum to the oth er test plants. An overall comparison between the plant parts revealed that a significantly (P < 0.05) greater number of eggs were laid on fruit follo wed by squares and leaves. Maximum oviposition occurred on Abutilon indicum fruit, followed by G. hirsutum and Dombeya spectabilis leaves, G. hirsutum squares and leaf petioles and Thespesia populnea terminal buds. Increased oviposition on these parts was attributed to the presence of trichomes, and in some cases grooves, together with the favourable food factors.